WRC Rally Sweden: Mikkelsen not going for second

Andreas Mikkelsen says he will do "everything in his power" to win Rally Sweden next weekend

Andreas Mikkelsen says he will do "everything in his power" to win Rally Sweden next weekend.

The Volkswagen Motorsport II pilot looked to be on course for his maiden WRC victory twelve months ago in Karlstad, but an error in the final test, when he went off and hit a snow bank, cost him over 30 seconds dropping him to third.

Although the Norwegian has since broke his duck, winning in Spain last year - when team-mate Sebastien Ogier had dramas in the Power Stage, a reversal to Sweden - he is determined to go for it.

"Firstly, I am not travelling to Rally Sweden to finish second," vowed Mikkelsen, who was runner-up last month on the season opener, Rallye Monte Carlo.

"It is my home rally, as part of the route is in my native Norway. Many of my friends and my entire family will be there, and it has always been my dream to win there. I came so damned close last year. I had the win in my hands - but ultimately came up just short in the final few metres.

"The conditions at Rally Sweden are extreme. We drive on 6.5-millimetre long 'Sweden spikes', which generate a huge amount of grip. Furthermore, you can 'lean' against the walls of snow to the left and right of the road, in order to maintain your speed. This means you can really put your foot down without taking too many risks.

"We have made a good start to the season, but I will do everything in my power to win in Sweden for the first time."